I did this a little over a year ago and had great, fun responses so I figured I'd do it again. Ask me any book-related question. It could be about books you know I've read (feel free to click on books tag!), or just in general. I'm in a book-ee mood. :)

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. There were a lot of great books I read this year, but this one was just so beautiful. It made me feel so much. I highly, highly recommend it. Here's the description:

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen and emancipated from the system with nowhere to go, Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But an unexpected encounter with a mysterious stranger has her questioning what’s been missing in her life. And when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

I've read three of her books, although I have them all (I believe) to peruse when I get around to them. I think she's a lovely writer, not over or under-rated. She's got the goods. I'm not MAD about her, though, but she's very good.

Do you intend to/have you read Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell?

The very little I've heard about it is just from the Tom Hanks movie. I don't know enough about it to be interested. Should I check it out?

What do you look for in a book? (when initially deciding whether to read it or not)

Good characters, good writing, and if there's a love story (whether a main thread, or a subtle one), that it is well-written. But mainly, the well-written characters and overall good writing. For example, I tried to read 50 Shades of Grey, and I just had to stop because the writing was SO BAD. I didn't even get to the sex stuff, just the set-up, the characters, the sentence structure... ugh, it was terrible.

Glad to hear you like Austen. Which ones have you read? Pride and Prejudice tends to be everyone's favourite and while I love that one, my favourites of hers are Persuasion and Emma. I just really appreciate that she was telling stories from a female point of view long before it was a "normal" thing to do.

As for Cloud Atlas, I initially didn't think it would be my sort of thing either, based on the description. But I bought a copy it and challenged myself to read it. I ended up loving it. It was the best book I read of 2012 and easily one of the best and original books I have read ever - definitely near the top of my all time favourites. But that said, I guess it depends on what style of writing you enjoy. Mitchell is a great writer but it is a 500+ page book!

I only just recently saw the movie (after reading the novel) and I think it does a good job of translating a very difficult concept. That said, I think the novel is more gratifying.

I've never tried to read 50 Shades of Grey. I know I'd react in the same way you would. But how do you decide whether to pick up a book to read the blurb? The title? The cover?

1.) Interesting description of the novel.2.) Good reviews and/or word of mouth3.) If it's an author I already know and love.4.) If it's got a really great book cover. For reals, one of my favorite authors, Laura Kinsale, I discovered because I so adored the book cover of her 4th novel, Seize the Fire. (Outside flap, open it and you see this. I just saw it in the bookstore every time I walked in for about two weeks (bookstore was near my college and I'd go practically every day between classes) and I finally broke down and bought it.)